positive buoyancy syndrome

Sea turtles can survive being struck by a boat propeller — but as they heal from the trauma, their shells often change shape, bulging from air building up within their bodies. That throws the animals' buoyancy off-kilter when they swim, leading to "positive buoyancy syndrome," a condition known more colorfully as "bubble butt syndrome." Bubble butt can leave turtles struggling to swim normally — or unable to submerge at all. The condition is so debilitating, rescued turtles that suffer from it are routinely deemed unable to be released back into the ocean.

A sea turtle plagued by 'bubble butt' condition is helped by a 3D printer Bill Chappell 2024

Sea turtles can survive being struck by a boat propeller — but as they heal from the trauma, their shells often change shape, bulging from air building up within their bodies. That throws the animals' buoyancy off-kilter when they swim, leading to "positive buoyancy syndrome," a condition known more colorfully as "bubble butt syndrome." Bubble butt can leave turtles struggling to swim normally — or unable to submerge at all. The condition is so debilitating, rescued turtles that suffer from it are routinely deemed unable to be released back into the ocean.

A sea turtle plagued by 'bubble butt' condition is helped by a 3D printer Bill Chappell 2024